President Duterte said children should set aside the tradition of visiting their godparents this Christmas to ask for gifts.
In his weekly public address Wednesday, Duterte said there was a time for everything but this year is not the time for kids to visit their godparents and ask for “aguinaldo.”
“Kalma muna. Tutal marami pa namang Pasko, eh,” he said. “Maghingi ka, hopefully in God’s own time, maybe next December,” he added.
According to the President, people may contract COVID-19 if they will go out just to buy gifts that their godchildren may want.
“Huwag na kayong maghingi-hingi sa mga ninong, ninang kasi kaawa,” he said. “Maglabas ‘yung ninang mo pati ninong, mamili diyan sa kung saan-saan. Idamay mo lang,” he added.
Duterte, in particular, cited how people still flock to Divisoria in Manila, ignoring physical distancing, like there was no pandemic at all.
“Bakit walang katapusan? Tignan mo naman ang tao. Social distancing ‘yan. Tignan mo sa TV. Fini-feature nila ang mga tao sa Divisoria napakarami,” he said. “Dapat talaga hugas, mask, kung maaari huwag kang lumabas. Kung wala ka naman talagang ano. Mamili ka? Huwag muna ngayon,” he added.
According to Duterte, what the people can do aside from following the health protocols set by the government is to pray.
“What should we do is to pray for our country and prepare for those who are sick,” he said. “So time for happiness, time for enjoyment, birthday parties, wedding receptions, and time to be just relax. Mahaba pa ang buhay. If not for you, then for your children. Okay?” he added.
Malacañang has warned the public about the possible rise of COVID-19 cases this holiday season and if it happens, parts of the country may revert to stricter quarantine classifications next month. (Argyll Geducos)